Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a motor unit to drive a wheel. The electric vehicle also includes a control system that controls the motor unit. The control system includes an inverter. The electric vehicle also includes a temperature sensor to sense temperature Tmc of the motor coils of the motor unit or a temperature sensor to sense temperature Tic of the inverter. The electric vehicle also includes a limiter to, if the temperature Tmc sensed by the sensor exceeds a motor coils temperature threshold, reduce a motor current of the unit until a derivative dTmc/dt of the sensed temperature Tmc with time t drops to zero or below, or to, if the temperature Tic sensed by the sensor exceeds an inverter temperature threshold, limit a current command to the inverter until a derivative dTic/dt of the sensed temperature Tic with time t drops to zero or below.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes an inverter unit. The inverter unit includes a torque fluctuation estimator configured to estimate, according to a predefined rule, a torque fluctuation that is inclusive of fluctuations in torque attributable to a wheel bearing unit, a motor unit or a reducer unit, based on a fluctuation in a rotational frequency as determined with a rotation sensor configured to sense a rotational frequency of a wheel or with an angle sensor for the motor unit, a fluctuation in a load acting, between a road surface and a tire, along a direction in which the vehicle travels, as determined with a load sensor, or a fluctuation in a motor current.

Abstract: A remote controlled actuator includes a spindle for holding a tool, a spindle guide section of an elongated configuration, a distal end member rotatably supporting the spindle, and a drive unit housing connected to a base end of the spindle guide section. The distal end member is fitted to the spindle guide section for alteration in attitude. The spindle guide section includes an outer shell pipe, a rotary shaft, and guide pipe. Within the guide pipe, an attitude altering member is inserted to alter the attitude of the distal end member. A connection device detachably connects the spindle guide section with the drive unit housing.

Abstract: A flexible wire assembly of a compact structure that can transmit the torque for a high speed rotation even in a bent condition is provided. The flexible wire assembly includes a flexible outer tube, in which a flexible inner wire having its opposite ends defining rotation input and output ends, respectively, is rotatably supported by means of a plurality of rolling bearings. Spring elements are employed for applying preloads to those rolling bearings. The use is also made of a speed reducing mechanism for reducing in speed and outputting rotation of the inner wire. The spring elements include inner ring spring elements and outer ring spring elements that are alternately arranged over the length of the inner wire.

Abstract: To provide a controller apparatus of a type, in which the controller is given the redundancy so that the control of the drive motor can be properly performed at all times when an abnormality such as the failure of the controller occurs, with the reliability consequently increased, a plurality of controllers are provided, each including a power circuit for outputting a drive current for the drive motor and a control circuit, which is a light electric circuit, for controlling the power circuit in response to a motor drive command fed from a higher control. An abnormality determiner is provided for determining an abnormality occurring in the controller then in use according to a prescribed rule and then generating a switching signal. A switch is provided, which is operable in response to the switching signal to change the controller then in a state of functioning relative to the drive motor.

Abstract: This wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member, an inner member, and a plurality of rows of rolling elements between opposed rolling surfaces in both members. At least one sensor unit is provided on the outer diametric surface of the outer member, which is stationary. The sensor unit is made up of a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments adapted to be fixed to an outer diametric surface of the outer member in contact therewith and a sensor fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain induced in this strain generating member. A groove is provided in the outer diametric surface of the outer member at a location adjacent to the neighboring two contact fixing segments of the sensor unit.

Abstract: A remote controlled actuator includes a spindle guide section of an elongated configuration, a distal end member fitted to a tip end of the spindle guide section for alteration in attitude, and a drive unit housing to which a base end of the spindle guide section is connected. The distal end member rotatably supports a spindle then holding a tool. The spindle guide section includes a hollow outer shell pipe, a rotary shaft and a guide pipe, and an attitude altering member for altering an attitude of the distal end member is inserted within the guide pipe. A hollow of the outer shell pipe includes a round hole portion at a center and a grooved portion depressed radially outwardly from the round hole portion. The rotary shaft is arranged within the round hole portion whereas the guide pipe is arranged within the grooved portion.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump apparatus includes a plurality of permanent magnets (17) in an impeller (10) in a blood chamber (7), a plurality of coils (20) in a motor chamber (8), and a magnetic element (18) in each of the coils (20). The magnetic elements (18) are made shorter than the coils (20) to lower attractive force between the magnetic elements (18) and the permanent magnets (17) in the impeller (10), to set a large gap between the magnetic elements (18) and the permanent magnets (17). As a result, axial attractive force and negative rigidity can be lowered while required torque is satisfied.

Abstract: This centrifugal blood pump apparatus includes an impeller provided in a blood chamber, a first permanent magnet provided in one surface of the impeller, and a second permanent magnet provided in an inner wall of the blood chamber, for attracting the first permanent magnet. The attractive force between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet on the opening side of a sidewall of the blood chamber is set to be smaller than the attractive force between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet on the opposite side of the opening. As a result, inclination of the impeller with respect to a dividing wall during pump operation can be prevented.

Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including double row rolling elements between an outer member and an inner member, a sensor unit is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit is made up of a sensor mounting member and at least one or more strain sensors fitted to the sensor mounting member. A sensor signal processing circuit to process an output signal from the strain sensor is provided in the sensor mounting member.

Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load imposed on the wheel can be accurately detected without influences from hysteresis is provided. This wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member having a plurality of rolling surfaces, an inner member having rolling surfaces opposed respectively to the rolling surfaces of the outer member, and rolling elements between the rolling surfaces. A sensor unit is provided in a stationary member of one of the outer and inner members, which unit includes a strain generating member having two contact fixing segments to be fixed to the stationary member and a sensor fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain induced in this strain generating member. The two contact fixing segments are arranged at respective positions held at the same phase in a direction circumferentially of the stationary member.

Abstract: A blood pump apparatus comprises a housing, a centrifugal pump section including an impeller and rotating inside the housing to feed a fluid by a centrifugal force, an impeller rotational torque generation section for attracting thereto said impeller and rotating said impeller; and a plurality of grooves for hydrodynamic bearing provided on an inner surface of said housing at a side of said impeller rotational torque generation section, each of the grooves for hydrodynamic bearing having a first side and a second side both extending from a periphery of said portion in which a groove for hydrodynamic bearing is formed toward a central side thereof and opposed to each other, a third side connecting one end of said first side and one end of said second side to each other, and a fourth side connecting said other end of said first side and said other end of said second side to each other; said first side and said second side are formed as a circular arc respectively in such a way that centers of said circular arcs

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a vehicle wheel with a sensor in which load acting on the bearing assembly and/or a tread surface is accurately detected is provided. The bearing assembly includes rolling elements between outer and inner members, a load detecting device in one of the outer and inner members provided as a stationary member, for detecting load acting on the bearing assembly, a rotation detecting device for detecting the rotation of the other member provided as a rotating member, an averaging circuit for calculating rotational speed of the rotating member from output of the rotation detecting device, determining from the calculated rotational speed a time period required for the rolling elements to revolve a pitch of arrangement thereof and calculating average value of output of the load detecting device during the period, and an estimating circuit for estimating the load from the average value.

Abstract: A remote controlled actuator includes a spindle guide section (3) of an elongated configuration, a distal end member (2) fitted to a distal end of the spindle guide section (3) through a distal end member connecting unit (15) for alteration in attitude, a tool (1) rotatably provided to the distal end member (2), a tool rotating drive source (41) for rotating the tool, and an attitude altering drive source (42) for manipulating the attitude of the distal end member. The distal end member rotatably supports a spindle (13) then holding the tool (1). The spindle guide section (3) includes a rotary shaft (22) for transmitting rotation of the tool rotating drive source to the spindle and a guide hole (30a). A flexible attitude altering member (31) capable of altering the attitude of the distal end member is reciprocally movably inserted within the guide hole (30a).

Abstract: An output member is connected with an input member through three sets of link mechanisms for alteration in attitude. The link mechanism includes end portion link mechanisms on an input side and an output side, respectively, and an intermediate link member. The link mechanism is such that a geometric model of each of the link members expressed by lines represents such a shape as an input side portion and an output side portion relative to a center of the intermediate link member are symmetrical with each other. By actuating two or more sets of the link mechanisms by means of a link mechanism drive source, the attitude of the output member is controlled. Through the inside of an arrangement of the link mechanisms, a flexible wire is provided for transmitting a rotational force in a direction of arrangement of the input and output members.

Abstract: A drive motor for an electrically powered automotive vehicle is provided which includes a motor stator including a magnetic body and coils. The inner peripheral surface of the magnetic body has a plurality of teeth protruding therefrom, around which the coils are wound. The drive motor also includes a motor housing mounted to an outer periphery of the motor stator to retain the motor stator. The outer peripheral surface of the magnetic body includes cutout portion(s) formed at circumferential location(s) thereof, with the circumferential location(s) being at the same phase as those of the teeth. An inner peripheral surface of the motor housing includes engagement portion(s) formed at circumferential location(s) thereof, with the circumferential location(s) being opposed to the cutout portion(s). The engagement portion(s) is/are engageable with the cutout portion(s). The engagement portion(s) and the cutout portion(s) cooperate with each other to form arresting unit(s) for arresting the motor stator.

Abstract: An air cycle refrigerating/cooling system includes a first heat exchanger for cooling air, a turbine unit that has a compressor for compressing the air and an expansion turbine for adiabatically expanding the air, and a second heat exchanger for cooling the air. A compressor rotor of the compressor and a turbine rotor of the expansion turbine are attached to a common main shaft in the turbine unit in such a manner that the turbine unit drives the compressor rotor with a power generated by the turbine rotor, and the main shaft is rotatably supported by a rolling contact bearing. A part or the entirety of a thrust force applied to the main shaft is supported by an electromagnet, and a pressure equalizing device for equalizing a gas pressure at opposite ends of the rolling contact bearing is provided.

Abstract: To provide a controller apparatus of a type, in which the controller is given the redundancy so that the control of the drive motor can be properly performed at all times when an abnormality such as the failure of the controller occurs, with the reliability consequently increased, a plurality of controllers are provided, each including a power circuit for outputting a drive current for the drive motor and a control circuit, which is a light electric circuit, for controlling the power circuit in response to a motor drive command fed from a higher control. An abnormality determiner is provided for determining an abnormality occurring in the controller then in use according to a prescribed rule and then generating a switching signal. A switch is provided, which is operable in response to the switching signal to change the controller then in a state of functioning relative to the drive motor.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly including an outer member having an inner periphery formed with a plurality of rolling surfaces defined therein, an inner member having an outer periphery formed with rolling surfaces opposed to those rolling surfaces and a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between those rolling surfaces. One of the outer and inner members serving as a stationary member is provided with a strain amplifying mechanism for amplifying a strain in the stationary member, which occurs when the rolling elements pass by. A strain sensor element is provided for detecting the strain amplified by the strain amplifying mechanism. A calculator is provided for calculating from an output of the strain sensor element, the load acting on the bearing assembly or the load acting between the vehicle wheel and the road surface.

Abstract: To provide a motor driving system for an electrically powered automotive vehicle, in which the drive motor is rotationally controlled to increase the reliability, the use is made of an angle sensor for detecting the relative rotational angle between a stator and a rotor of a drive motor for driving the electric vehicle and a controller for controlling the rotation of the drive motor on the basis of the relative rotational angle detected by the angle sensor. The angle sensor is provided in a plural number. The controller includes an angle sensor switching unit operable to select and activate one of the plurality of the angle sensors and then to switch over to an activation of another one of the angle sensors in the event that the one of the angle sensors is determined abnormal.